Formica-Formikel

Sir Eduardo Paolozzi CBE, RA (1924-2005)

Signed limited edition screenprint by Eduardo Paolozzi from the iconic folio Moonstrips Empire News (1967).

Title of this print is formika-formikel.  Signed and numbered 88/500 in pencil lower left.  EA and Kelpra stamps verso.  Stunning finish to this screenprint with gold ink.

Published by Editions Alecto in 1967, Moonstrips Empire News consisted of 100 screenprints of images and text in an edition of 500. Eight of the images were signed and numbered by the artist, of which this is one.  The prints were printed by Kelpra Studios on various paper stocks and bear their stamp verso as well as the Editions Alecto stamp.

Paolozzi had been fascinated by American culture as a child, collecting cigarette cards and watching Hollywood icons at the local cinema.  This folio also shows his interest in history of art, technology and science.  Layering-up images from magazines, he juxtaposed his interest in technology, science and history with recurring pop culture themes of celebrity, fast food and advertising.  Text was also an important component of his work, reflected in the ‘text only’ sheets with editorial from magazines and newspapers, sometimes rearranged in a creative style.

Collections: The Tate

Measurements: 25 x 38 cm

Condition: Never framed, the work is in overall very good condition. On close scrutiny there are two hairline wrinkles as shown in the closeups, one to the right hand margin, the other to the left and right of the lower trunk, but very hard to see in normal viewing conditions. There’s a tiny bit of black ink loss on the bottom edge, very minor

This work has now been sold